TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie continued to press his case for a voter referendum on gay marriage in New Jersey, saying on national television today that “good people of good will have a difference of opinion.”

Christie, a Republican running for re-election against Democrat Barbara Buono, gave an extended interview to CBS that aired today on “Sunday Morning.”

“My view on it is, put it on the ballot,” he said about gay marriage, in the middle of a wide-ranging discussion about Hurricane Sandy, his weight and his presidential prospects.

“Let the people decide."

A state judge ruled to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey on Friday, partly in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in June extending federal benefits to gay couples — but only in the 13 states where they are allowed to marry, not New Jersey or other states that permit civil unions for same-sex couples instead.

Christie, who vetoed a gay marriage bill last year, on Friday said he would appeal the ruling by Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson. Buono supports gay marriage and has pledged to sign a bill into law if elected.

"The courts have spoken and the people have spoken. It is time for Chris Christie to stop blocking equal rights for all New Jerseyans," she said in a statement Friday.

In a nine-minute interview, Christie also talked about the looming shutdown of the federal government, chastising tea party Republicans in Congress for refusing to compromise but saying GOP leaders were not to blame.

“If you're running the government, to be advocating for shutting it down — that by definition is a failure,” Christie said. “You’ve got to work it out.”

When asked about his own appeal as a politician, Christie said his skill is communicating clearly, unlike other pols, and that his response to Sandy showed people he had “compassion.”

“Remember Charlie Brown’s teacher? Wah wah wah wah. It all sounds the same, and nobody can understand what they’re saying. Nobody says that about me,” he said.

Asked whether he would serve a full second term or leave early for the presidential horse race in 2016, Christie hedged.